Illegal Cosmetics On Marketplaces: Why Product Safety Testing Matters

Buying cosmetics on marketplaces has become easier, faster, and often more affordable. However, this convenience also creates opportunities for the circulation of illegal cosmetics, including products without distribution permits, imported products that do not meet regulatory requirements, and cosmetics containing hazardous ingredients.

For consumers, this can increase the risk of irritation and more serious health concerns. For cosmetic brands, this issue is a reminder that product safety cannot rely only on packaging appearance or promotional claims. It needs to be supported by regulatory compliance, safe formulation, and proper product safety testing.

Table of content:

• Marketplaces and The Risk of Illegal Cosmetics
• Why Are Illegal Cosmetics Dangerous?
• The Importance of Distribution Permits and Product Checking
• The Role of Product Safety Testing For Cosmetic Brands

Marketplaces and The Risk of Illegal Cosmetics

Marketplaces are now one of the strongest sales channels for cosmetic products. Many brands use them to reach wider audiences, including local brands, imported products, and resellers. However, marketplaces can also become channels for products that do not meet safety and regulatory requirements.

BPOM reported findings on illegal or hazardous drug and food products circulating on marketplaces throughout 2025, with illegal cosmetics or cosmetics containing hydroquinone being the most frequently found category, reaching nearly 4.6 million products. This shows that online circulation of illegal cosmetics is not a minor issue, but a serious concern in product supervision.

Illegal cosmetics may include products without BPOM notification, imported products without distribution permits, products with unclear compositions, or products containing prohibited ingredients. These products may look attractive because of low prices, exaggerated claims, or convincing testimonials. However, without clear information and proper testing, product safety is difficult to confirm.

Why Are Illegal Cosmetics Dangerous?

Cosmetics are applied directly to the skin, lips, eye area, hair, or other parts of the body. Therefore, the ingredients used in these products must be confirmed safe according to their intended use. Illegal products may contain ingredients that do not comply with regulations, uncontrolled concentrations, or contaminants that can harm consumers.

In the first quarter of 2026, BPOM took action against 11 cosmetic products containing hazardous and/or prohibited ingredients, including retinoic acid, dexamethasone, hydroquinone, mercury, Red K10 dye, and 1,4 dioxane. These ingredients may pose health risks, especially when used without supervision or over a long period.

BPOM also halted the online circulation of illegal imported cosmetics worth tens of billions of rupiah in June 2026. This case shows why online cosmetic supervision is important, especially because digital distribution can spread products quickly and widely.

The Importance of Distribution Permits and Product Checking

One important step in confirming cosmetic legality is checking the product’s distribution permit or notification number. BPOM provides the Cek Produk BPOM platform, which allows users to search registered products, including cosmetics. On the BPOM product checking page, cosmetics are listed as one of the registered product categories available for public search.

For consumers, this helps reduce the risk of buying illegal products. For brands, having a distribution permit shows that the product has gone through the required administrative and documentation process. However, regulatory compliance should still be supported by formula quality and relevant testing to make the product more trustworthy.

Read also:
Why Are Cosmetic Clinical Testing Important to Support Product Claims?

The Role of Product Safety Testing For Cosmetic Brands

Product safety testing helps brands ensure that their cosmetics are not only visually attractive but also suitable for use. Testing may include microbiological testing, stability testing, irritation testing, specific ingredient analysis, and contaminant testing depending on the product type.

For example, skincare products claiming to be safe for sensitive skin should be supported by relevant testing. Products with active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, AHA, BHA, or niacinamide need attention to stability and irritation potential. Water based products such as toners, serums, or lotions also need to consider microbial contamination risks and preservative effectiveness.

With laboratory testing, brands can obtain supporting data to ensure product quality, strengthen claims, and increase consumer trust. This is especially important in a competitive marketplace environment, where consumers are becoming more critical about product safety, permits, and claim evidence.

Conclusion

Illegal cosmetics on marketplaces are an issue that consumers and businesses need to take seriously. Products that look viral, affordable, or well reviewed are not always safe to use. For cosmetic brands, product safety should be built from the beginning through proper ingredient selection, regulatory compliance, distribution permits, and laboratory testing.

This allows products to compete in marketplaces while remaining safer, more trustworthy, and more credible in the eyes of consumers.

Build a More Trusted Product

If your brand wants to market cosmetics more safely and professionally, make sure product quality is not based only on packaging claims or marketplace trends.

With IML Testing and Research, you can conduct proper product testing to help support safety, stability, quality, and brand credibility before your product enters the market.

Author & editor: Alphi

References

Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. (2026). BPOM halts online circulation of illegal imported cosmetics worth tens of billions of rupiah. BPOM RI.

Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. (2026). BPOM takes action against 11 cosmetic products containing hazardous and prohibited ingredients in the first quarter of 2026. BPOM RI.

Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. (2026). Top 10 illegal or hazardous drug and food products circulating on marketplaces throughout 2025. BPOM RI.

Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. (2026). BPOM product checking platform. BPOM RI.